Uniform national numerator definitions for infection control clinical indicators: surgical site infection and health-care related bloodstream infection

Abstract

The concept of national surveillance of health-care-related infection is not new - programs have been implemented in the USA and a number of European countries over the past two decades. Proposals for a similar program in Australia have been hampered by a lack of government support. However, recent interest in adverse health-care related outcomes, both federally and in many of the states, has encouraged moves toward a national surveillance strategy.